Senegal’s Prime Minister Criticizes Israel and Calls for Its International Isolation
In a strong speech delivered to a large crowd at the Grand Mosque in Dakar, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko sharply criticized his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israeli policies in the Gaza Strip.
Sonko accused Netanyahu of exploiting the conflict in Gaza to maintain his political position, stating that the Israeli Prime Minister is “ready to walk over thousands of bodies” to ensure his stay in power and avoid legal accountability. He described the Israeli military operations in Palestinian territories as “genocide” and “human barbarism.”
The Senegalese Prime Minister, who describes himself as an African nationalist leftist, called for decisive international action against Israel. He emphasized the need to “gather all those who denounce this injustice” and work towards politically isolating Israel as a solution to the current crisis.
Sonko also criticized what he described as the support of some Western countries for Israeli policies, pointing to the “injustice” suffered by Palestinians since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. He also noted the existence of “many divisions” that hinder unifying the voices of Muslims and Africans in confronting this crisis.
This speech comes in the context of increasing international criticism of Israeli military operations in Gaza and reflects the growing African support for the Palestinian cause.
